The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued Tuesday a royal order, appointing Dr. Faleh bin Abdullah Al-Saleh Al-Sulaiman as Governor of the General Authority for Defense Development at the Rank of Minister, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

On 14 September 2021, the Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, approved the establishment of the General Authority for Defense Development.

The body will enjoy legal personality and financial and administrative independence. The body, which will be linked to the Prime Minister, will focus on research and development in defense-related fields.

It will be tasked with the formation of policies and strategies governing the defense technology sector in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its defense industries to reduce reliance on imported military hardware as well as adding higher value jobs in the Kingdom. The aim is to increase this to up to 50 percent by 2030.